Dallas, was given a 55g DAS fw, need help going SW

[infoe]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the hobby, very very new to the hobby and was given a 55gallon fresh water setup das tank system. Pic below.

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It was up and running and being serviced once a month by a local fish tank company but they were definately being over charged. I did empty out the fish tank because I wanted to restain and refinish the tank

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had the fish tank company come back out and help me re set it up, (it was only down for a few days)

but now I've decided I want to go salt water setup. and I have the help of a friend of mine who is pretty knowledgeable and a member of your community helping me buy equipment and not get nailed by store prices.

I've got a WTB out on my local dfwmas.org forum for the following items with his help

SUMP: Looking for a 20-29g sump, could be just a old tank I can use as a sump, something cheap just to house water and have 2 compartments 1 for skimmer and 1 for return.
Water Movement: Looking for a Koralia 4 or 5
1 BRS Reactor
Glass-Holes overflow 700gph kit
Return Pump: Tunze Silence 1073.020 or equivalent

Protein skimmer he's going to get for me at a great price

The only thing I need to be out on the lookout for and the main reason for my post is the lighting, I'm going to want to upgrade to t5 lighting but not sure what t5 setup is going to fit so that it will blend into my canopy and or not be an eyesore. Can anyone help me out with this?

Anyone know what setup will fit with what I've got and not look too obtrusive?

I'm going to have another local fish store come out and help me with setup and holesaw the tank and change out the water as I feel too noobish to do it my own but their not gonna charge me too much. one of the kids is going to do it as a side job.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

P.s. the main reason why the local kid is going to help me is because I really really really dont feel like going whole new setup but this kid is going to help me cut out the overflow box from the das system because its so freaking huge! (pic below)

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P.S.S some of the cherry barbs the original store brought out have jumped into the back overflow unit and have died in the bottom their so small they somehow got in there. that's one of the definate reasons I want to change out that overflow unit and free up some real estate in the salt water setup. I feel i will be much happier with the 55g size once that huge box is gone.

P.S.S.S Can I get anything for the items in my fw setup?

Thanks for any feedback responses and answers to my t5 lighting question.

 

[mtraylor]

You will want to post the dimensions of your aquarium to help out with the lighting fixture. What is your clearance between the top of the tank and the top of the hood? Have you removed the modified overflow yet? I'm sure you sell or trade in the existing stuff such as rock/fish etc that you have.

 

[Jeff]

Best advise I can give you up front is Don't Be Cheap. Yes, you can find good deals out there but salt water tanks/reefs are not something you want to take on and then complain about the costs - either make the decision to Do what it Takes, or stick with the fresh water setup.

The other nugget of wisdom I can share is - always think about it for at least a week before buying something - take it slow and be patient. You'll throw a lot of money and time right down the toilet if you don't do your research, make your lists, revise those lists a dozen times and just buy what looks cool at the store or online.

Oh, and don't be shy about giving some of our local stores some love - when you have an emergency, or not - some of these store owners out there can be a powerful resource.

 

[SumThinhWong]

Two things I would say never skimp on is the skimmer and the lights. You can find used good skimmers but you want to do your research and the s ame goes for the livestock you plan on getting. Research and ask a lot of questions. If I know ablout this club when I first started I would have saved a lot of headache and money.

 

[infoe]

@mtraylor wrote:

I measured the inside of the tank and where the light is currently sitting on to the bottom of the covers (hood) of the tank there is 3 inches of heigh or space for lighting also the dimensions from left to right of the inside of the tank are 36 inches.

 

[robert a]

I have a 115 gal dad tank and as I understand it our tanks are made of tempered glass. I was told you can't drill tuem soI waoul confirm if that's true or not good luck

 

[washingtond]

@robert a wrote:

Glad to see that you and Infoe have hook-up since you are both working with a DAS tank and trying to do the same thing, adding a sump.

 

[infoe]

I just spoke to the owner of DAS today, he told me the DAS glass is *NOT* tempered, he gets asked all the time for people wanting to remove overflow tank. He said I could remove the overflow with a knife and drill all day. I googled DAS and called the number based in waxahachee. I will post pictures as I move along, of course if anyone wants to volunteer to help could buy em lunch and beer.

Dutch Aquarium Systems
1616 E Main St
Waxahachie, TX 75165
972-938-2020

 

[infoe]

I wouldnt mind moving this to the build section. Having a buddy thats getting me telling me what to get is definately a blessing. I just want to make sure I get the right person to help me get it set up. My main question is (If i'm all about astethics) how can I upgrade my lighting but still have something that doesnt protrude on top of the tank (how my current setup is now) where it will fit under the lids of my tank. Where do I learn about the measurements?

 

[washingtond]

Moved here per request and good luck with your project. There should be several people with DAS tanks that can help you out.

 

[infoe]

now i just need some sand (think im headed now to DNA) to get carib alive fiji pink sand 20lb bags gonna get 2 of them as i like the deep sand bed look.

but I do need live rock, I know craigs list or our forums is a good place to buy but i dont know anyone and i know live rock could be tricky cause of asp or whatever it is.

any recommendations?

 

[infoe]

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DAS Overflow removed, tank drilled, overflow installed, plumbing complete...

Saltwater is in the tank, sand is in the tank...I'm up and running. Steve from true plumbing really helped out on getting me up and running from a plumbing point of view.

Now I gotta get some dead rock/live rock and let it cycle.

 

[bimmerzs]

Hi,
You may want to have a lfs run a copper test on the water before you get too far, unless you know 100% that copper was never used in the tank.

Cheers,

 

[infoe]

@bimmerzs wrote:

aThats good idea...i had thought about getting a copper test before but didn't think of it now...i do plan on going fowlr but it will be good to know if reef is out of that tanks future...it would be a bit of a disappointment but it won't be a huge los as again I was planning fowlr

 

[pangetikaw]

Cool tagging a long for I have acquired a das tank too.. And plannning to drill it too.. Well I know you've talk to the owner I was wondering if the bottom is tempered or what not so I can drill to there..

 

[infoe]

man t sure but their in waxahachee i think..just give them a call he had told me they dont use tempered glass but the bottom is specific...try asking them. some people have the myth that das tanks are tempered because they've tried drilling the bottom and it cracked...saltnewbie drilled mine for me like achamp no problems it was a cinch.

 

[pangetikaw]

Cool how many holes did you guys drill? Did you drill for return too? Or just the overflow can I see pictures on how did you guys do it thanks...

 

[Incaico]

I drilled my DAS as well. I actually removed the inside dividers that are in the internal overflow box and the bottom of the overflow box and used silicone to put the overflow back in place. I drilled a drain and a return inside of the overflow box area.

 

[pangetikaw]

@ Incaico did you drill the bottom or side to put the overflow and the return? Thanks

 

[Incaico]

@pangetikaw wrote:

I drilled the bottom of my tank. The durso and return plumbing are inside of the modified original internal overflow box.